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U.S. Foreign Affairs Since 1898 Term Paper

Proctor does not merely repeat of make empty allegations that horrific violations are occurring in Cuba upon the natives at the hands of the Spaniards. He has witnessed these abuses with is own eyes on an observational visit, where he went as a skeptic, with, in his own words, "a strong conviction that the picture had been overdrawn," regarding the terrible conditions of the Cuban populace. (Proctor, 1898) Proctor came back to the United States convinced that, more so than the destruction of the Maine, the barbarities inflicted by the Spanish forces cry out for United States intervention. ("March 17, 1898: Senator Proctor's Visit to Cuba," 1999, Crucible of Empire: PBS Online) In his words, "if our people could see a small fraction of the need, they would pour more 'freely from their liberal store' than ever before for any cause." (Proctor, 1998)

The call of the advocates of intervention is often to remember the U.S.S. Maine -- but remember more than the Maine, remember our own history and our human rights obligation to other persons, located in this same region of the world as our own. Today, no longer a minor actor upon the world stage, we are a great power, with the awesome will and determination to make our ideological and moral influence felt upon the region. As such a power, as evidenced by the destroyed Maine, we are open to attacks from other powers jealous of our burgeoning influence. We also stand as rallying point for other nations of the area, as Cubans look to us for aid.

Moreover, in Cuba's case, only after trying...

The United States must realize that now is the time to "seize the moment presented by chaos" to strengthen its sphere of democratic influence in Latin America. (Paterson, 1998, p.6) Thus, the cry goes forth in the legitimate as well as the so-called illegitimate press: Stop the Spanish bloodletting and end Spain's brutality in the name of humanity, and in the name of our own sovereign nation, and the desired sovereignty of Cuba. To liberate Cuba, war is the only means! Although one may not wish to romanticize war, only a coward can turn his or her eyes away from the thousands of Cuban men, women, and children suffering at the hands of the Spanish, dying for food and dying for liberty. We must make the ideology of our nation not merely a slogan within America, but a liberating reality for those dwelling abroad.
Works Cited

March 17, 1898: Senator Proctor's Visit to Cuba." (1999) Crucible of Empire: PBS

Online. Retrieved 2 Sept 2006 at http://www.pbs.org/crucible/tl11.html

Paterson, Thomas. (1998) U.S. Intervention in Cuba, 1898:Interpreting the Spanish

American-Cuban-Filipino War." OAH Magazine of History. Spring 1998.

A pp. 5-9 Retrieved 2 Sept 2006 at http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazine/1898/paterson.pdf

Proctor, Refield. (1898) "Cuban Reconcentration Policy and its Effects."

Full e-Text retrieved 2 Sept 2006 at http://www.spanamwar.com/proctorspeech.htm

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

March 17, 1898: Senator Proctor's Visit to Cuba." (1999) Crucible of Empire: PBS

Online. Retrieved 2 Sept 2006 at http://www.pbs.org/crucible/tl11.html

Paterson, Thomas. (1998) U.S. Intervention in Cuba, 1898:Interpreting the Spanish

American-Cuban-Filipino War." OAH Magazine of History. Spring 1998.
A pp. 5-9 Retrieved 2 Sept 2006 at http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazine/1898/paterson.pdf
Full e-Text retrieved 2 Sept 2006 at http://www.spanamwar.com/proctorspeech.htm
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